e was the image of the

t the entrance to Aidan's Atherton preschool. The parent-child activ

rmur against her ear. His fingers brushed a non-e

felt like the touch of a spider.

d, her voice soft. Her p

she s

wore a white dress, cut low enough to be a statement. She wasn't a parent. She was h

her. He droppe

arl

issile of adoration, and wrapped

al punctuation to the betrayal. But

to assemble a pre-packaged model rocket. When the announcer call

oice clear. "I want to do it with S

yes filled with pity, morbid curiosity

boy," he said, his tone light, but his eyes held

remain gentle. "Sweetheart, won't

ing against her shoulder with surprising force. "No!

ript he had been taught to recite. Chloe stumbled b

not a nice way to speak to your mother," she cooed, but over his

ight with affection for his captor and filled with revulsion fo

lian and the crowd a fragile smile. "I'm sorry. I thi

ustered mother, the delicate wife,

n feeling her best lately," he announced to the audience. "I'll take her

glass of water. From his pocket, he p

this, you'll feel better." His voice

ll in his palm. The instrume

rust, she placed it in her mouth, took a sip

a practiced flick of her tongue, she trapped the pil

d, satisfied. The world was back

oom," Chloe murmured, he

e pill drop from her mouth. It hit the water with a plink.

ark. But inside them, a cold fire burned. Aidan's public rejection was no

lutch. She pulled it out. A

ired to offshore account. New identity, 'Helena

self. She deleted the mess

ile smile was back in place. She walked out

She let her shoulders slump, leaning into him

l is making me so drowsy. I think I need a mental health day tomorrow. Just... get out of the

nd the apparent success of his drug. "Of course, darling. Take